Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Grocery Gaming

This was our first week to do The Grocery Game. The Grocery Game helps you match up coupons with sales in stores to get groceries for ridiculously cheap, and sometimes free. You actually need to save up several weeks' worth of Sunday coupons, which we haven't had time to do yet, but we still got some good deals. Like a box of 24-count Tylenol PM, which started out at $5.49, then went on sale at Walgreens for 3.49, then I got a $2-off coupon from the Sunday paper, then an in-store coupon brought it down to 49 cents. I kind of wish I had saved this kind of money on something more exciting than sleeping pills, but STILL. At Walgreens I spent $3.71 on almost $14 worth of stuff, and also got some good deals at Kroger the next day. It will get better as my coupon file expands. One TERRIFIC thing about The Grocery Game: Wal-Mart is not included in their list of stores, so I drive to Benton to go to the Kroger there. The money I save on groceries more than makes up for the gas. I may never have to go to Wal-Mart again! One downside: Target is also not included in The Grocery Game's stores. If it ever is, my life will be complete.

A disclaimer for those who know us in person. Jenna is going around telling everyone she has a brother named "John." I guess it's her new imaginary friend. At school last week, her teacher was helping all the kids draw pictures of their families. When I picked Jenna up, she showed me her family picture. It was Daddy, Jenna, and "John," a guy with a beard. No Mommy and no Julia. "Uh, Jenna? Do we have someone in our family named 'John?'" I asked. Her teacher said, "She doesn't? She told me she did!"

I'm all about imaginary friends. Hey, I had a squirrel who rode around on my shoulder through most of elementary school. But I just want to make sure everyone knows Jenna does not actually have a brother named John that we've hidden away somewhere. And I'm wondering what do to with this "family" picture, which looks more like the premise for a 21st Century After-School Special: "Jenna and her Two Dads" or something like that.

Now from the Julia front: the other day Julia and I were in the car and Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing" came on. "Hey," I said, turning it up. "I used to really like this song." Julia looked extremely annoyed and said, "Turn it down. It's too loud." So I said, "You know what we used to say when I was a teenager? 'If it's too loud, you're too old.'" She just looked at me like I was completely insane.

9 Comments:

The CEO of the Grocery Game, Teri Gault, is a friend of mine. Her story is very inspirational. I met her and the family when they were at the bottom of the financial heap, and the way she saved on groceries became the company she's the head of today. Teri and Greg's faith in God and unwillingness to compromise their beliefs when they had ample opportunity to do so is a testament to their willingness to follow God and that the good guys do win after the battles.

Welcome to your newest addiction. I looooove couponing. It truly is my hobby. Every time I walk out of a store I feel like I've beat the system. I've had a few instances where they had to pay me to leave and that was simply the pinnacle of all my efforts. It's only happened twice, if I remember right, and I try to do it again every time I go to the store. So fun. Congrats on your own coupon addiction! I haven't joined the Grocery Game so I'm glad to hear you enjoy it. If you have a CVS near you, get involved in their Extra Care program. Talk about addicting!

Tehehe. . . you obviously have taken a wrong turn with Julia and the music. Alaina begs for the 80s station on Sirius . . .or course, that could be so she can do anything to avoid the Broadway songs! {grin}

Had to laugh at Jenna's imaginary brother. When Alaina was in preschool, she told all her teachers she was an only child!

On our way to Santa Fe this summer Aubrey yelled from the backseat, as the 10th Led Zepplin song came on, "Oh No! If I hear another rock n roll song I'm gonna throw up!" Only she pronounced it "wok n woll" and "frow up".

Hee hee ... Will has an imaginary friend. His name is Bat. And, he's a bat ... as in baseball bat. He had become a grown up a few months ago but I think he has since returned to his childhood. Cracks us up.

About Me

I'm a wife, mom and writer. I'm a Texan who just happens to live in Little Rock, Arkansas. I love watching my children when they're sleeping. I love rock music way too much. My husband is the most incredible blessing God has given me. I eat right out of the ice cream carton when no one's around.